NCCN Updates Guidelines to Include KRAS Testing

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has updated their Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Colon Cancer to include testing tumors from patients with metastatic colon cancer for the KRAS gene.  The Guidelines also now say that cetuximab (Erbitux®) and panitumumab (Vectibix™) should only be given to patients whose tumors have normal (wild-type) KRAS. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 31st, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 2 Comments »
Tags: KRAS, metastatic colorectal cancer

No Connections Between Acrylamide and GI Cancers

Carbohydrate Sources of Acrylamide

Acrylamide is produced when carbohydrate-rich foods are cooked at high temperatures.  Foods like french fries, potato chips, cakes, and even coffee contain high levels of acrylamide.  It has been classified as a “probable” carcinogen based on animal studies where cancer resulted from very high doses.  However, human studies have not always produced clear answers.

Epidemiologists in The Netherlands had people fill out food questionnaires based on common Dutch foods that contained acrylamide.  Thirteen years later, they found no increase in the number of colorectal or other gastrointestinal cancer  in those people who ate foods with high amounts of acrylamide. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 31st, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer prevention, nutrition

Dr. Edith Mitchell Honored with Tree of Life Award

Dr. Edith Mitchell, specialist in gastrointestinal oncology at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, has been given the Tree of Life Award from the Wellness of You, a Philadelphia nonprofit providing health education and resources.

The award honors health professionals who are committed to making a difference in community health. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 30th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »

Cancer Patients Fatigued Before Treatment Begins

Cancer patients are often very tired, a bone-weary fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest.  Fatigue is the most common complaint from patients during chemotherapy.  However, a recent study found that one in four patients are already severely fatigued before treatment ever begins.

Severe fatigue was most common in patients with gastrointestinal cancer, where almost one in three were fatigued at diagnosis. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 30th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | 1 Comment »
Tags: fatigue, side effects

Make a Video to Encourage Screening

Do you have a secret yen to be a moviemaker?  Star in your own video?  Help people learn that screening saves lives?

End Colon Cancer Now. Org at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is looking for a short creative videos to spread the colorectal cancer screening message.  The top video in the Get Screened Contest will win $2,500. Continue reading…

Posted by Kate Murphy on October 30th, 2008
Posted in: Research & Treatment News | No Comments »
Tags: colorectal cancer prevention, CRC event